1.Mechanism of Yishen Tongluo Formula regulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway to ameliorate pyroptosis in diabetic nephropathy mice
Yifei ZHANG ; Zijing CAO ; Zeyu ZHANG ; Xuehui BAI ; Jingyi TANG ; Junyu XI ; Jiayi WANG ; Yiran XIE ; Yuqi WU ; Xi GUO ; Zhongjie LIU ; Weijing LIU
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(1):21-33
Objective:
To investigate the mechanism of Yishen Tongluo Formula in ameliorating renal pyroptosis in diabetic nephropathy mice by regulating the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway.
Methods:
Sixty C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into control (10 mice) and intervention groups (50 mice) using random number table method. The diabetes nephropathy model was established by intraperitoneally injecting streptozotocin(50 mg/kg). After modeling, the intervention group was further divided into model, semaglutide (40 μg/kg), and high-, medium-, and low-dose Yishen Tongluo Formula groups (15.6, 7.8, and 3.9 g/kg, respectively) using random number table method. The high-, medium-, and low-dose Yishen Tongluo Formula groups were administered corresponding doses of medication by gavage, the semaglutide group received a subcutaneous injection of semaglutide injection, and the control group and model groups were administered distilled water by gavage for 12 consecutive weeks. Random blood glucose levels of mice in each group were monitored, and the 24-h urinary protein content was measured using biochemical method every 4 weeks; after treatment, the serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels were measured using biochemical method. The weight of the kidneys was measured, and the renal index was calculated. Hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, periodic Schiff-methenamine, and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological changes in renal tissue. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect urinary β2-microglobulin (β2-MG), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) levels. Western blotting and real-time fluorescence PCR were used to detect the relative protein and mRNA expression levels of nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3), Caspase-1, gasdermin D (GSDMD), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-18 (IL-18) in renal tissue. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the proportion of protein staining area of the TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB in renal tissue.
Results:
Compared with the control group, the random blood glucose, 24-h urinary protein, serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, and renal index of the model group increased, and the urine β2-MG, NGAL, and KIM-1 levels increased. The relative protein and mRNA expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1β, and IL-18 in renal tissue increased, and the proportion of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB protein positive staining areas increased (P<0.05). Pathological changes such as glomerular hypertrophy were observed in the renal tissue of the model group. Compared with the model group, the Yishen Tongluo Formula high-dose group showed a decrease in random blood glucose after 12 weeks of treatment (P<0.05). The Yishen Tongluo Formula high- and medium-dose groups showed a decrease in 24-h urinary protein, creatinine, urea nitrogen, and renal index, as well as decreased β2-MG, NGAL, and KIM-1 levels. NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1 β, and IL-18 relative protein and mRNA expression levels were also reduced, and the proportion of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB protein positive staining areas was reduced (P<0.05). Pathological damage to renal tissue was ameliorated.
Conclusion
Yishen Tongluo Formula may exert protective renal effects by inhibiting renal pyroptosis and alleviating tubular interstitial injury in diabetic nephropathy mice by regulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.
2.Yishen Tongluo Prescription Ameliorates Oxidative Stress Injury in Mouse Model of Diabetic Kidney Disease via Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 Signaling Pathway
Yifei ZHANG ; Xuehui BAI ; Zijing CAO ; Zeyu ZHANG ; Jingyi TANG ; Junyu XI ; Shujiao ZHANG ; Shuaixing ZHANG ; Yiran XIE ; Yuqi WU ; Zhongjie LIU ; Weijing LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):41-51
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of Yishen Tongluo prescription in protecting mice from oxidative stress injury in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) via the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)/NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) signaling pathway. MethodsSpecific pathogen-free (SPF) male C57BL/6 mice were assigned into a control group (n=10) and a modeling group (n=50). The DKD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The mice in the modeling group were randomized into a model group, a semaglutide (40 μg·kg-1) group, and high-, medium-, and low-dose (18.2, 9.1, 4.55 g·kg-1, respectively) Yishen Tongluo prescription groups, with 10 mice in each group. The treatment lasted for 12 weeks. Blood glucose and 24-h urine protein levels were measured, and the kidney index (KI) was calculated. Serum levels of creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were assessed. The pathological changes in the renal tissue were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, periodic acid-silver methenamine, and Masson’s trichrome staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits were used to measure the levels of β2-microglobulin (β2-MG), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), liver fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Immunohistochemical staining was performed to examine the expression of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot were employed to determine the mRNA and protein levels, respectively, of factors in the Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 signaling pathway. ResultsCompared with the control group, the DKD model group showed rises in blood glucose, 24-h urine protein, KI, SCr, BUN, and ALT levels, along with glomerular hypertrophy, renal tubular dilation, thickened basement membrane, mesangial expansion, and collagen deposition. Additionally, the model group showed elevated levels of β2-MG, NGAL, KIM-1, L-FABP, NOS, and 8-OHdG, lowered levels of GSH and T-AOC, up-regulated expression of MDA and Keap1, and down-regulated expression of Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1, and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the semaglutide group and the medium- and high-dose Yishen Tongluo prescription groups showed reductions in blood glucose, 24-h urine protein, KI, SCr, BUN, and ALT levels, along with alleviated pathological injuries in the renal tissue. In addition, the three groups showed lowered levels of β2-MG, NGAL, KIM-1, L-FABP, NOS, and 8-OHdG, elevated levels of GSH and T-AOC, down-regulated expression of MDA and Keap1, and up-regulated expression of Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1, and GCLC (P<0.05). ConclusionYishen Tongluo prescription exerts renoprotective effects in the mouse model of DKD by modulating the Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 signaling pathway, mitigating oxidative stress, and reducing renal tubular injuries.
3.Improvement effects and mechanism of total secondary ginsenosides on hypertrophic changes in cardiomyocytes
Bin LI ; Jia LI ; Zhongjie YUAN ; Mingjun ZHU ; Shiyang XIE ; Yuan GAO ; Rui YU ; Xinlu WANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(12):1430-1435
OBJECTIVE To investigate the ameliorative effects and potential mechanism of total secondary ginsenosides (TSG) on hypertrophic changes of primary cardiomyocytes stimulated by angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ). METHODS Primary cardiomyocytes were isolated from the hearts of neonatal SD rats and divided into the following groups: control group, AngⅡ group (2 µmol/L), TSG group (7.5 µg/mL), PFK-015 group [6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2, 6-bisphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3) inhibitor, 10 nmol/L], and TSG+PFK-015 group (TSG 7.5 µg/mL+PFK-015 10 nmol/L). The surface area, protein synthesis, energy metabolism-related indicators [free fatty acid (FFA), coenzyme A (CoA), acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA)], and the expressions of glycolysis-related factors [hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), glucose transporter protein 4 (GLUT-4), lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK1) and PFKFB3] in primary cardiomyocytes of each group were measured. RESULTS Compared with the control group, the surface area of primary cardiomyocytes and protein synthesis were significantly increased, the content of FFA, protein and mRNA expressions of HIF-1α, LDHA, PDK1 and PFKFB3 were significantly increased or up-regulated in the AngⅡ group, while the contents of CoA and acetyl-CoA, the protein and mRNA expressions of GLUT-4 were significantly decreased or down-regulated (P<0.05). Compared with the AngⅡ group, both TSG group and PFK-015 group showed significant improvements in these indexes, with the TSG+PFK-015 group generally demonstrating superior effects compared to either treatment alone (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS TSG can reduce the surface area of AngⅡ-induced primary cardiomyocytes, decrease protein synthesis, and inhibit their hypertrophic changes. These effects may be related to improving energy metabolism and the inhibition of glycolysis activity.
4.Survey on the awareness and clinical application of guidelines for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B (2022 edition) among clinicians
Yuanyuan KONG ; Yujie GUO ; Yujuan GUAN ; Xuan LIANG ; Zhongjie HU ; Xiaobo LU ; Mingqin LU ; Yongfeng YANG ; Meifang HAN ; Hong YOU ; Zhiyun YANG ; Jidong JIA
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(6):1068-1074
ObjectiveTo investigate the awareness and clinical practice of guidelines for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B (2022 edition) among clinicians. MethodsFrom July 19 to December 31, 2024, a self-designed electronic questionnaire was distributed via the WeChat mini program to collect related data from 1 588 clinicians nationwide, including their awareness and practice based on 18 questions regarding testing and referral, diagnosis and treatment, and follow-up. ResultsAmong all respondents, only 350 clinicians correctly understood all the updated key points of antiviral indications and treatment for special populations in the 2022 edition of guidelines for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B, with an overall awareness rate of 22.0%. Only 20% — 40% of the patients with positive HBV DNA and an age of >30 years receive antiviral therapy, while 80% — 100% of the patients with positive HBV DNA and a family history of hepatitis B cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma receive antiviral therapy. The median follow-up rates at 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years were 67.5% 57.5% and 47.5%,respectively, showing a trend of gradual reduction, which might be associated with the influencing factors such as insufficient time for follow-up management by clinicians, insufficient awareness of the disease among patients, and poor adherence to follow-up. ConclusionThere is a gap between the awareness and practice of guidelines for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B (2022 edition) among clinicians. It is recommended to further strengthen training and focus on the whole process of “detection, diagnosis, treatment, and management” for patients with chronic hepatitis B in healthcare institutions, in order to promote the implementation of the guidelines.
5.Mechanism and clinical research progress of remifentanil in the prevention and treatment of emergence agitation
Na WANG ; Yongbo DUAN ; Zhongjie XIAO ; Yujing SONG ; Wenjun YAN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(15):1947-1952
Emergence agitation (EA) is a common complication after general anesthesia, especially in children and adolescents. Remifentanil, as a short-acting μ-receptor agonist, has become an important drug for the prevention and treatment of EA due to its rapid recovery and low risk of respiratory depression. This article reviews the mechanism of action and clinical research progress of remifentanil in the prevention and treatment of EA. Its mechanism of action involves the inhibition of pain signals mediated by traditional μ-receptor activation and potential new mechanism based on neural-endocrine-immune network, including regulation of microglial inflammatory pathways, and the modulation of cytokines and chemokines,etc. Clinical studies have shown that remifentanil can significantly shorten the recovery time, reduce the incidence of EA, and further optimize the analgesic effect and recovery quality by combining with other drugs (such as local anesthetics, sedatives, and opioid drugs). Future research should further explore the mechanism of action of remifentanil, optimize clinical treatment strategies, and conduct large- scale clinical trials to standardize the drug use plan, while paying attention to its long-term effects and the development of multimodal treatment plans to promote the further development of EA prevention and treatment plans.
6.Optimization of water extraction technology of Kaixin granules
Zuomin WU ; Shuxian BAI ; Meng NING ; Yunzhi WANG ; Huifen MA ; Jingyuan DONG ; Zhongjie YANG ; Zhishen XIE ; Zhenqiang ZHANG ; Xiaotao YU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(22):2790-2795
OBJECTIVE To optimize the water extraction technology for Kaixin granules. METHODS UPLC-MS/MS method was established for the simultaneous determination of ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Re, ginsenoside Rb1, tenuifolin, polygalaxanthone Ⅲ and 3, 6′-disinapoyl-sucrose. An orthogonal test was designed with extraction times, extraction duration, and the volume of added water as factors. Using the contents of the aforementioned six indicator components and the extract yield as evaluation indexes, analytic hierarchy process-entropy weight method was employed to determine the combined weights of each indicator. Subsequently, process optimization and validation were conducted by integrating grey relational analysis (GRA) and back propagation (BP) neural network. RESULTS The water extraction technology optimized by the orthogonal test and GRA was 10- fold water for the first decoction and 8-fold water for the subsequent two, extracting 3 times,extracting for 1 h each time; the average comprehensive score of the validation experiment was 91.10 (RSD=0.31%, n=3). The water extraction technology optimized by BP neural network was extracting 3 times with 10-fold water added each time, extracting for 1.5 h each time; the average comprehensive score of the validation experiment was 95.89 (RSD=0.73%, n=3). Considering practical production requirements, the optimal water extraction technology was extraction performed three times, with 10-fold water for the first decoction and 8-fold water for the subsequent two extractions, with an extraction time of 1 h each. CONCLUSIONS The optimized water extraction technology for Kaixin granules is stable and feasible.
7.Key questions of translational research on international standards of acupuncture-moxibustion techniques: an example from the WFAS Technical Benchmark of Acupuncture and Moxibustion: General Rules for Drafting.
Shuo CUI ; Jingjing WANG ; Zhongjie CHEN ; Jin HUO ; Jing HU ; Ziwei SONG ; Yaping LIU ; Wenqian MA ; Qi GAO ; Zhongchao WU
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(8):1159-1165
OBJECTIVE:
To provide the experience and demonstration for the transformation of acupuncture-moxibustion techniques standards from Chinese national standards to international standards.
METHODS:
Questionnaire research, literature research, semi-structured interviews and expert consultation were used.
RESULTS:
The safety of acupuncture-moxibustion techniques was evaluated through literature research, and based on the results of the questionnaire survey, expert interviews, and expert consultation, 11 main bodies and structure of the former Chinese national standard, Technical Benchmark of Acupuncture and Moxibustion: General Rules for Drafting, were adjusted and optimized in accordance with the requirements of international standard (including the language, normative references, purpose, scope, applicable environment, target population, work team, terms and definitions, general principles and basic requirements, structural elements and text structure, and compilation process); and the first international standard, World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societis (WFAS) Technical Benchmark of Acupuncture and Moxibustion: General Rules for Drafting was formulated to specify the general rules for drafting.
CONCLUSION
The 3 key questions, "international compatibility", "technical operability" and "safety" should be solved technically on the basis of explicit international requirements. It is the core technical issue during transforming the national standards of technical benchmark of acupuncture and moxibustion into international standards.
Moxibustion/methods*
;
Acupuncture Therapy/methods*
;
Humans
;
Translational Research, Biomedical/standards*
;
Surveys and Questionnaires
;
China
;
Benchmarking/standards*
8.Public Database-based Study to Explore the Expression and Role of DDB1 in Lung Adenocarcinoma.
Xinkai ZOU ; Ziyi HE ; Yanfei ZHANG ; Yi HU ; Xiaomin WANG ; Zhongjie WU
Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer 2025;28(4):256-266
BACKGROUND:
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the predominant subtype of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Damage-specific DNA binding protein 1 (DDB1), as a core protein of the CUL4-DDB1 ubiquitin ligase complex, is involved in the regulation of DNA damage repair, epigenetic modification, and cell cycle checkpoint activation. While the involvement of DDB1 in tumour progression through DNA repair and RNA transcriptional regulation has been reported, its expression and role in LUAD remain to be elucidated. This study aims to investigate the expression and role of DDB1 in LUAD.
METHODS:
The expression, clinicopathological features and prognosis of DDB1 in LUAD were analysed using databases such as UALCAN, Kaplan-Meier Plotter and GEPIA; The interaction network and enriched functional pathways were constructed by GeneMANIA and Metascape; the correlation between DDB1 and immune cells by combining with TISIDB infiltration was evaluated, and the clustering results of cell subtypes and the expression of DDB1 in different immune cell subpopulations were analysed by single-cell sequencing; finally, tissue microarrays were used to further verify the expression and prognostic value of DDB1 in LUAD.
RESULTS:
The mRNA and protein expression of DDB1 in LUAD tissues were significantly higher than those in normal tissues (P<0.01), and the high expression correlated with later clinical stage (P<0.001), lymph node metastasis (P<0.001) and poor prognosis (P<0.001). Functional enrichment showed that DDB1 was involved in DNA repair and RNA transcriptional regulation, and TISIDB evaluation revealed that DDB1 was negatively correlated with the expression level of immune cells, suggesting the potential regulation of the immune microenvironment. Single cell analysis showed that DDB1 was mainly expressed in T cells, alveolar macrophages and dendritic cells. Tissue microarrays confirmed that overall survival was shorter in the DDB1 high expression group (P<0.001), and Cox multifactorial analysis showed that DDB1 was an independent predictor of LUAD prognosis.
CONCLUSIONS
DDB1 is highly expressed in LUAD, which is associated with poor prognosis, and is closely related to tumor immune cell infiltration, and is involved in tumourigenesis and development through DNA repair and RNA transcriptional regulation. DDB1 can be used as a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target for LUAD.
Humans
;
Adenocarcinoma of Lung/immunology*
;
DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism*
;
Lung Neoplasms/diagnosis*
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
;
Prognosis
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
9.Diagnosis and treatment of special type of laryngeal foreign body with granuloma in children.
Dezhen TU ; Zongtong LIN ; Ling SHEN ; Deping CHEN ; Zhongjie YANG ; Qiaoyu LIAO
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(2):163-167
Objective:This article explores the diagnosis and treatment of a special type of laryngeal foreign body with granuloma in children, providing a clinical reference for standardized diagnosis and treatment. Methods:This article retrospectively analyzes one case admitted to our department and five other cases reported in relevant literature involving a special type of laryngeal foreign body with granuloma in children. It summarizes the clinical characteristics of this disease and explores its diagnosis and treatment. Results:①A total of 6 cases were misdiagnosed and had a long course of illness. Five cases had no clear history of foreign body at the first visit. One case had foreign body history but no foreign body was found. ②The clinical symptoms were diverse, which could be hoarseness, cough, wheezing, dyspnea, or no symptoms. ③A total of 3 cases were diagnosed by laryngoscopy, and 3 cases were diagnosed by laryngoscopy and imaging examination. ④Foreign bodies that were not wrapped in granulomas, were removed first and then the granulomas were treated; foreign bodies wrapped in granulomas were removed after the removal of granulomas. Conclusion:A special type of laryngeal foreign body with granuloma may lack of accurate foreign body history, resulting in long-term retention of foreign bodies, leading to granuloma formation and misdiagnosis. Electronic laryngoscopy combined with CT examination contribute to early diagnosis. Low temperature plasma under endoscope and anesthetic laryngoscope is conducive to the exposure and precise removal of foreign bodies and avoids tracheotomy to a certain extent.
Child
;
Child, Preschool
;
Female
;
Humans
;
Infant
;
Male
;
Foreign Bodies/surgery*
;
Granuloma, Foreign-Body/therapy*
;
Larynx/pathology*
;
Retrospective Studies
10.The efficacy of drug combination with immunotherapy in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea and allergic rhinitis after surgery.
Zongtong LIN ; Ling SHEN ; Xinzhong GAO ; Qiaoyu LIAO ; Zhongjie YANG ; Pingfan LIU
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(12):1163-1170
Objective:To explore the efficacy of using drug combination and sublingual immunotherapy(SLIT) for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea(OSA) and allergic rhinitis(AR) after adenotonsillectomy, in order to provide a more optimized treatment plan after the surgery. Methods:A total of 95 pediatric OSA combined with AR were selected. According to the treatment plan, they were divided into the SLIT group(postoperative medication combined with SLIT) and the control group(postoperative medication treatment only). The comparisons were made between the two groups regarding the scores of the 18-item Quality of Life Questionnaire for Obstructive Sleep Apnea(OSA-18) and the Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) before and at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after treatment; the monthly total medication scores(TMS) from 1 month to 3 months, 4 months to 6 months, 7 months to 1 year, and 1 year to 2 years after treatment, as well as the number of acute attacks of AR in the 1st year and 2nd year after treatment; and the Lund-Kennedy scores and nasal resistance grading of nasal endoscopy before and at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after treatment. The effectiveness and safety were also analyzed. Results:After one year of treatment, the OSA-18 score, VAS score, TMS and Lund-Kennedy score in the SLIT group were significantly better than those in the control group. The nasal resistance was significantly reduced(P<0.05), and the frequency of AR attacks was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05). After 2 years of treatment, the VAS score, Lund-Kennedy score and nasal resistance classification in the SLIT group tended to stabilize, while the OSA-18 score continued to decline. Conclusion:After surgery for pediatric OSA combined with AR, the use of drugs combined with SLIT can effectively alleviate AR symptoms, further improve OSA-related symptoms and quality of life, reduce drug dependence, decrease the frequency of AR attacks, and enhance the long-term efficacy of the surgery.
Humans
;
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/surgery*
;
Rhinitis, Allergic/therapy*
;
Quality of Life
;
Child
;
Tonsillectomy
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Adenoidectomy
;
Sublingual Immunotherapy
;
Drug Therapy, Combination
;
Male
;
Female


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail